Wolf Point | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Wolf Point | |
 Location of Wolf Point, Montana | |
| Coordinates:48°05′35″N105°38′29″W / 48.09306°N 105.64139°W /48.09306; -105.64139 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Roosevelt |
| Incorporated (city) | 1915 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Tribal |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.88 sq mi (2.29 km2) |
| • Land | 0.88 sq mi (2.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,001 ft (610 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,517 |
| • Density | 2,851.4/sq mi (1,100.95/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain Standard Time (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)) |
| ZIP code | 59201 |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-81475 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412291[2] |
| Website | http://ci.wolf-point.mt.us/ |
Wolf Point is a city in and thecounty seat ofRoosevelt County, Montana, United States.[3] The population was 2,517 at the2020 census, down 4% from 2,621 in the 2010 Census.[4] It is the largest community on theFort Peck Indian Reservation. Wolf Point is the home of the annual Wild Horse Stampede, and the Wadopana Pow-wow, the oldest traditionalpow wow in Montana.
Wolf Point began as a trading post in the 1860s, at the confluence of Wolf Creek and theMissouri River. Farming began in the area as early as 1874 with the Civil War pioneer Philip "Sandy" Knorr and John Winn being the first people to plant the first harvest in Northeastern Montana. Philip Knorr, John Winn, Montana Jim Helmer, Hank Cusker, Henry Kirn, Jacob Wirth, and James MacDonald being the first set of pioneers in Wolf Point. TheGreat Northern Railway arrived in 1887.[5] Wolf Point incorporated in 1915 and became the county seat in 1919.
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Wolf Point is located in north-eastern Montana in the wide, shallow valley of theMissouri River, just below its confluence with Wolf Creek. Wolf Point is situated on theHigh Plains of eastern Montana. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.88 square miles (2.28 km2), all land.[6]
The city is located on the north bank of the Missouri River, the southern part occupying the ancestralfloodplain of that river. The northern part occupies south facing, low-lying hills overlooking aterrace.[7] The central business district is located in the described southern portion.
Wolf Point experiences asemi-arid steppe climate(BSkw),[8] with generally cold, dry winters and hot summers. Late spring and early summer is on average the wettest period of the year. During the summer warm, humid air masses more typical of a warm summercontinental climate(Dfb) may move into the area from the south or east. Summertimethunderstorms commonly occur and sometimes can besevere featuring hail and, infrequently,funnel clouds ortornados.
Cold waves may cover the area 6 to 12 times per winter, with temperatures well below 0 °F (−17.8 °C). Between cold waves there are sometimes periods of longer than 10 days of mild, but often windy weather caused bychinook winds.[9] These winds cause temperatures to rise rapidly, often giving relief in the form of mild temperatures in the coldest months of the year.
| Climate data for Wolf Point, Montana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 60 (16) | 71 (22) | 80 (27) | 95 (35) | 102 (39) | 112 (44) | 109 (43) | 110 (43) | 107 (42) | 93 (34) | 75 (24) | 65 (18) | 112 (44) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 45.1 (7.3) | 48.1 (8.9) | 66.4 (19.1) | 79.1 (26.2) | 87.3 (30.7) | 93.5 (34.2) | 98.1 (36.7) | 98.9 (37.2) | 92.9 (33.8) | 81.4 (27.4) | 64.3 (17.9) | 48.1 (8.9) | 100.8 (38.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 25.4 (−3.7) | 31.1 (−0.5) | 44.9 (7.2) | 59.6 (15.3) | 69.7 (20.9) | 77.9 (25.5) | 86.9 (30.5) | 86.4 (30.2) | 75.5 (24.2) | 59.7 (15.4) | 42.7 (5.9) | 29.1 (−1.6) | 57.4 (14.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 15.7 (−9.1) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 33.5 (0.8) | 46.4 (8.0) | 56.8 (13.8) | 65.6 (18.7) | 73.0 (22.8) | 72.0 (22.2) | 61.1 (16.2) | 47.1 (8.4) | 32.2 (0.1) | 19.6 (−6.9) | 45.3 (7.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 6.1 (−14.4) | 10.3 (−12.1) | 22.0 (−5.6) | 33.2 (0.7) | 43.9 (6.6) | 53.3 (11.8) | 59.1 (15.1) | 57.6 (14.2) | 46.7 (8.2) | 34.5 (1.4) | 21.6 (−5.8) | 10.1 (−12.2) | 33.2 (0.7) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −21.9 (−29.9) | −14.6 (−25.9) | −4.8 (−20.4) | 14.7 (−9.6) | 27.4 (−2.6) | 40.7 (4.8) | 47.9 (8.8) | 43.3 (6.3) | 28.8 (−1.8) | 13.1 (−10.5) | −0.8 (−18.2) | −13.5 (−25.3) | −28.5 (−33.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −57 (−49) | −47 (−44) | −42 (−41) | −10 (−23) | 6 (−14) | 26 (−3) | 32 (0) | 30 (−1) | 8 (−13) | −10 (−23) | −26 (−32) | −44 (−42) | −57 (−49) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.41 (10) | 0.27 (6.9) | 0.46 (12) | 0.91 (23) | 2.10 (53) | 3.54 (90) | 1.81 (46) | 1.81 (46) | 1.40 (36) | 0.85 (22) | 0.42 (11) | 0.35 (8.9) | 14.33 (364) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 2.8 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 5.6 | 8.8 | 6.0 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 48.2 |
| Source:NOAA[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 2,098 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,539 | −26.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,960 | 27.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,557 | 30.5% | |
| 1960 | 3,585 | 40.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,095 | −13.7% | |
| 1980 | 3,074 | −0.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,880 | −6.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,663 | −7.5% | |
| 2010 | 2,621 | −1.6% | |
| 2020 | 2,517 | −4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[4] | |||
As of thecensus[4] of 2010, there were 2,621 people, 952 households, and 635 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,978.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,150.0/km2). There were 1,080 housing units at an average density of 1,227.3 units per square mile (473.9 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 42.5%White, 0.2%African American, 50.5%Native American, 1.2%Asian, and 5.5% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
There were 952 households, of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.25.
The median age in the city was 33.7 years. 29.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,663 people, 981 households, and 685 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,024.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,167.9/km2). There were 1,091 housing units at an average density of 1,239.2 units per square mile (478.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 55.73% White, 0.04% African American, 40.52% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the population.
There were 981 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 31.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,962, and the median income for a family was $33,681. Males had a median income of $26,325 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,605. About 17.0% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Wolf Point is the home of the annual Wild Horse Stampede, held every year during the second weekend of July. Wolf Point's Wild Horse Stampede began in 1915 and is the oldest rodeo in Montana. It has been called the "Grandaddy of Montana Rodeos".[12][13][14]
Wolf Point is also the home of the Wadopana Pow-wow, the oldest traditionalpow wow in Montana; it is always held the first week in August.[15]
Silverwolf Casino is operated by the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.[16] The casino also serves as a funeral chapel.[17]
The Wolf Point Area Museum is operated by the local historical society.[18][19]
Roosevelt County Library is headquartered in Wolf Point with branch locations in Culbertson and Froid.[20]
The city of Wolf Point has amayor-council form of government with acity council consisting of eight elected council members—two members from each of fourwards. The mayor is electedat-large for a four-year term. The city council determines the policy direction and administers the daily affairs of city government. The mayor appoints, with advice and consent of the council, thecity attorney, the hybrid position ofcity clerk-treasurer, and thepolice chief. The position of city judge is shared with the Justice of the Peace of Roosevelt County.[21]
Mathew Golik (November 4, 1948 – March 1, 2008) was the mayor between 1999 and 2008. He was appointed mayor in 1999 when the mayor at the time resigned. Golik was elected mayor in his own right in 2001 and re-elected in 2005; he held the post until his death. On March 1, 2008, his three-wheeler went through the ice onFort Peck Lake where he had beenice fishing and he drowned.[22][23]
DeWayne W. Jager assumed the duties of the mayor's office following Golik's death as the then city council president and was appointed to the post on March 17, 2008.[24][25] Mayor Jager was elected to the position in the November 2009 general election,[26] serving until 2013.[27]
Chris M. Dschaak won the election in 2013, 2017, and 2021.[27]
The Wolf Point Public Schools, District No. 45/45A operates an elementary, a middle, and a junior/senior high school with a total student enrollment of more than 860 students.[28] Nearby, Frontier Elementary School, District No. 3, serves some rural areas ofRoosevelt County and northernMcCone County in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and had an enrollment of more than 100 in the 2010–2011 school year.[28]Wolf Point High School is a Class B school[29] (108-306 students) which helps determine athletic competitions. They are known as the Wolves.
Although Native Americans "make up more than half of the student body", they are "less than one-fifth of the staff," and have a lower graduation rate.[30][31] In June 2017, a civil rights complaint was filed with theU.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights by theFort Peck Tribal Executive Board.[31]
Fort Peck Community College expanded to Wolf Point. The new brick facility is located one block south of the center of Main Street. FPCC is a tribal community college that offers affordable Applied Science Programs, Associate Degree Programs, Transfer Programs, and GEDs. In 2009, FPCC initiated men's and women's collegiate basketball teams.[32]
Wolf Point is served by two weekly newspapers, theNorthern Plains Independent, and thePoplar, Montana, basedFort Peck Journal. A third paper funded by Fort Peck tribal government, theWotanin Wowapi, ceased publication on January 28, 2008.[33]
The radio stationsKVCK (AM) 1450 andKVCK-FM 92.7 are owned by Wolftrax Broadcasting and licensed in Wolf Point.[34] The public radio stationKYPW is also licensed in Wolf Point.[35]
Wolf Point and Roosevelt County are part of the Minot-Bismarck-Dickinson local television media market (DMA).[36] Broadcast television can be received, either directly or viatranslator, fromKWSE 4 (PBS),KUMV 8 (NBC), andKXMD 11 (CBS) all based inWilliston, North Dakota; andKFBB 5 (ABC/FOX) based inGreat Falls, Montana.
Scheduled air service at Wolf Point'sL. M. Clayton Airport is provided byCape Air, the designatedUnited States Department of Transportation (USDOT)Essential Air Service (EAS) operator, with direct daily flights toBillings andGlasgow, Montana.[37][38] The Essential Air Service contract had formerly been held by now-defunctBig Sky Airlines andGreat Lakes Airlines.[39]
U.S. Route 2, a major east–west route in the northern tier of states, connects Wolf Point with other Hi-Line communities fromWashington state to theUpper Peninsula of Michigan.Montana Highway 25 provides a connection toMontana Highway 13, six miles east of the city. Montana Highway 13 extends from thePort of Scobey on theCanada–United States border in the north toCircle, Montana in the south.
Wolf Point is located on the Hi-Line of theBNSF Railway and has developed as a major shipment point for grain toWest Coast andGreat Lakes ports. Wolf Point is served daily westbound and eastbound byAmtrak'sEmpire Builder, and is thefirst station stop west ofWilliston, North Dakota.
Trinity Hospital offersinpatient care, andemergency care in addition to a wide range of other services, and is operated by Northeast Montana Health Services (NEMHS). NEMHS also operates the Faith Lutheran Home, a 60-bed skilled nursing facility; and the Listerud Rural Health Clinic in Wolf Point.[40] The Chief Redstone Clinic is a facility operated by theIndian Health Service, an agency of theU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It supports a wide range of health needs for the Native American population in the Wolf Point area on anoutpatient basis.[41]
Municipalities and communities ofRoosevelt County, Montana,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDP | ||
| Indian reservations | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
